Pregnancy after a panniculectomy -- how long after a panniculectomy should you wait to get pregnant?

Question

I have a friend who will have a panniculectomy in a few weeks. She's doesn't have any children, but she and her husband want to try for a child as soon after the panniculectomy as possible. Is it safe or adviseable to put your body thru the stress of a pregnancy so soon after major surgery to your abdomen? I asked if she discussed this with her doctor, and she won't give us a straight answer, which concerns me.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding how long to wait after a panniculectomy before getting pregnant. It’s understandable to be concerned about your friend's health, especially with the stress that both surgery and pregnancy can place on the body.

In general, most plastic surgeons recommend waiting at least 6 to 12 months after a panniculectomy before trying to get pregnant. This waiting period gives your body enough time to fully heal and recover from the surgery, reducing the risk of complications. Pregnancy soon after surgery could put additional strain on the healing abdominal tissues, which might affect the results of the panniculectomy or lead to other health issues for your friend.

Encourage your friend to have an open conversation with her plastic surgeon and OB-GYN about her pregnancy plans. The surgeon can provide tailored advice based on her specific situation and the progress of her recovery.

Getting pregnant too soon after a major abdominal surgery like a panniculectomy is not advisable, as it increases the risk of complications for both the mother and the baby. It's always best to ensure her body is in the best condition possible before embarking on such an important journey.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS · Answer

Each surgeon has his or her preferences when to commence physical activity. Moreover, her surgeon understands the scope of surgery and her medical condition better than anyone on this site would. With those caveats, 4 to 6 weeks post surgery would be an approximate date that the surgeon will advise your friend to wait before having sex. Since panniculectomy designed to remove just skin, the panniculectomy surgery will not impede pregnancy.

Pregnancy after a panniculectomy -- how long after a panniculectomy should you wait to get pregnant?

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Pregnancy after a panniculectomy -- how long after a panniculectomy should you wait to get pregnant?

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Everything you need to know about Panniculectomy

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.